Burning Question: How Does Popping Candy Work?

YumSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Yesterday, I reviewed a new candy bar that contained popping candy. That got me wondering about popping candy, especially the nostalgic favorite, Pop Rocks.

How do they work, exactly? Hard candy in any form is essentially a sugar-water mixture that's been cooled and hardened. In the case of Pop Rocks, an extra step is required: The sugar-water syrup mixes with pressurized carbon dioxide gas (roughly 600 pounds per square inch!), which forms tiny, pressurized bubbles in the candy. Once it cools, the pressure is released and the candy shatters, but pieces still contain pressurized bubbles. When consumed, these pieces melt in your mouth, releasing the bubbles with a loud snap. That's the sound of the pressurized air being released from the bubble.

Pop Rocks, first sold to the public in 1975, employed cutting-edge candy technology. In fact, the technology that's used to make that carbonated candy crackle is actually a patented process.

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Yummy Link: Soda Can Fizzy Candy

YumSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:00:09 -0700

Jones Soda Co. has a new line of carbonated candy, but you can find something similar at the Dollar Store. Check out this review of Soda Can Fizzy Candy - they'd make a great decorative touch at a kid's party or a themed party. - Candyblog